I can’t explain why, but I often find myself singing Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 on Monday mornings.
Tumble outta bed and I stumble to the kitchen
Pour myself a cup of ambition
Yawn and stretch and try to come to life
Jump in the shower and the blood starts pumpin’
Out on the street the traffic starts jumpin’
With folks like me on the job from 9 to 5.
My updated 2019 version would include Instagraming for far too long before finally tossing the covers aside and hitting the showers. But I’m not a songsmith.
I would also be remiss if I also didn’t bring up the 1980 movie 9 to 5 with Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin, and Jane Fonda. If you’ve never seen it, it’s an office satire where three secretaries decide to get revenge on their horrible, sexist boss by kidnapping him and running the business themselves. Hijinks ensue. it’s fantastic; go find it now.
This was Dolly Parton’s movie debut, which made her a singer, songwriter, and actress. She’s actually one hell of a businesswoman as well and as much as I can appreciate her savviness, I don’t know if I would say that Dolly Parton is one of my go-to fashion icons. In this movie, her wardrobe was a very 70’s office – a-line and pencil skirts with button-up blouses or turtlenecks. All in a pastel palette. Her personal style is a maximalist to the max that errs on the side of country. All things I am not. But it’s fun to look outside one’s comfort zone for inspiration and there is just something about this denim dress that feels a little 80s Dolly Parton in 9 to 5 and I love it.
Styling Tips
This is probably not a look that you could wear to a super conservative office, but it’s a great dress for the creative office, casual Fridays, and weekend adventures. The asymmetric buttons and darts give it just enough structure to feel intentional and polished in an office setting. The right accessories can help dress up or down the outfit. If slides don’t feel office appropriate, style the dress with a pair of metallic flats and small gold hoops for work. Wear it with a pair of white chucks and a neon crossbody purse for an easy weekend look. Or, if you really want to channel Dolly Parton, you can certainly wear it with a pair of cowboy books and a neck scarf.
